Vote West Gulf | Endorsements

Jim Haynie
W5JBP

I am pleased to endorse David Woolweaver, K5RAV and John Robert Stratton, N5AUS in the Fall 2010 West Gulf Division election.

David has done an outstanding job as Director of the West Gulf Division and I can attest to his dedication to amateur radio and its betterment on both division and national levels. John is a welcomed contributor that brings a new and complimentary perspective into our division. Both men have worked tirelessly in their efforts to represent you effectively and professionally. Their combined efforts will insure that all West Gulf amateurs have well respected representation, at all levels that is based on honesty and open dialogue.

Please join me in casting your ballot in support of David Woolweaver, K5RAV and John Robert Stratton, N5AUS.
73
Jim Haynie, W5JBP
ARRL President Emeritus

Coy Day
N5OK
Former West Gulf Director

I endorse David Woolweaver, K5RAV and John Stratton, N5AUS in the 2010 West Gulf Division election. David has done a great job as Director representing the West Gulf Division and has served with integrity. His ability to engage our members has reinforced the volunteer efforts of the Division. John's work with the Texas legislature speaks for itself, having been very successful. With their experience, they will make an outstanding team for the West Gulf and I hope you too, will vote for them.

73
Coy Day, N5OK Former
West Gulf Section Manager

Lee Cooper
W5LHC
STX SM

I support and will vote to elect David Woolweaver (K5RAV) as West Gulf Director and John Robert Stratton (N5AUS) as West Gulf Director.

Why?

Because I have worked with David since 2006 when I was a new STX Public Information Coordinator and he was West Gulf Vice Director. I have worked with John since 2007 when John became a volunteer at the 2007 Texas Legislative Session and quickly rose to initially become the Leader of the Texas Legislative Action Group and then based on his skill and leadership, to become the West Gulf Legislative Action Chair and West Gulf Assistant Director. I can say the same about both – they are not office holders, they don't hold titles and they don't hold office to "glad hand" or to pose for "photo ops" (for the glory) – they are both true leaders. Their passion and love for amateur radio is infectious and has inspired many to volunteer to work for Amateur Radio. I have seen membership and participation increase – people like working with and for these two gentlemen. Their passion is not run out for elections and they don't do it to make money – it is on round the clock display and demonstrated not by words, but by a string of successes for Amateur Radio and the West Gulf. They have a vision for the West Gulf and Ham radio and they are making it happen. When the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Legislature revamped Texas' emergency response structure, David and John stepped up, leading the creation of a new, coordinated ARES, RACES and MARS structure to match the revamped TDEM structure. David arranged for the deployment of 8 ARRL HF Go-Kits to support the new state Task Forces – the first time the ARRL has pre-positioned Go-Kits. John has also served as volunteer, unpaid legal counsel to many clubs and to the West Gulf Division itself. His calm and skilled approach has resolved some very serious disputes – without fanfare, damage to Amateur Radio and preserving the goodwill of all involved. It is rare to see true teams, but David and John are one of those rare teams. I can think of no two more qualified, dedicated and experienced men to lead the West Gulf. I urge you to vote for both.

Lee Cooper, W5LHC STX SM

Jay Urish
W5GM, NTX SM

Ballots for the election of the West Gulf Division Director and Vice Director will begin arriving in our mailboxes the first part of October and must be returned to ARRL Headquarters before noon Friday, November 19, 2010.

I am pleased and honored to join the other three ARRL West Gulf Section Managers in endorsing and voting for ARRL Life Members David Woolweaver, K5RAV and John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, for election as Director and Vice Director and respectfully ask that you do the same.

K5RAV has been the West Gulf Division Director since 2009 when Coy Day, N5OK, retired. Before becoming Director, K5RAV served as Vice Director since 2000 when Coy became Director Jim Haynie, W5JBP, was elected President of the ARRL. Before becoming Vice Director, David had volunteered in multiple ways under the ARRL umbrella and his support for the ARRL has been unwavering. N5AUS is currently the West Gulf Vice Director having been appointed by President Kay Craigie, N3KN, in July, following the resignation of John Thomason, WB5SYT. John also serves as West Gulf Division Legislative Action Chair in charge of all West Gulf legislative efforts and as the West Gulf's volunteer legal counsel. Before his appointment, John had been serving as an Assistant Director and as a Legislative Action Assistant for the West Gulf Legislative Group. Touching on just two of their accomplishments, John and David, joined by an army of volunteers.....

were successful in 2007 and 2009 in saving mobile amateur radio by defeating the multiple cell phone bills that would have criminalized mobile amateur radio operation. In 2009, they were successful in passing landmark cell phone legislation that exempts mobile amateur radio operators from the cell phone bills. They also filed the first Texas legislation to strip homeowner associations of their ability to prohibit amateur radio operation, including the ability to prohibit towers and antennas. Although not passed in 2009, John and David will introduce the legislation in the January 2011 Texas legislature and believe, with help from all of us, the legislation has a good chance of passage. These gentlemen bring a depth of experience and strong and proven leadership to our section and are committed to representing all amateurs in the West Gulf Division -ragchewing, EmComm, DX, contesting, HSMM or experimenters. David and John are both heavily active in amateur radio and have demonstrated their devotion to amateur service; especially during crisis times throughout the nation. Easily approachable and great listeners, each of these gentlemen has demonstrated absolute professionalism during their volunteer efforts; giving them solid reviews from the North Texas section. David and John's successes are many and they in no way financially benefit from amateur radio. I encourage you to review their website at www.votewestgulf.org where you will find full disclosure to their volunteer activities and professional histories. You will also have the chance to join the West Gulf Section Managers in their endorsements of these fine gentlemen. The importance to NTX and amateur radio of electing a qualified and experienced Director and Vice Director cannot be overstressed. These jobs do not come with training wheels. David, K5RAV, and John, N5AUS, are deserving of our continued support and my vote will go to them.

73,
Jay Urish, W5GM
NTX SM

John Dyer
AE5B, WTX SM

It will soon be election time in the West Gulf ARRL Division and our present Director Dr. David Woolweaver (K5RAV) and Vice-Director John Stratton (N5AUS) are candidates for re-election. I have worked closely with David and John over the last few years and enthusiastically support their election. Director Woolweaver is a strong, experienced, politically active voice for amateur radio. Dr. Woolweaver's experience and knowledge led his fellow Board members to select him to serve as a member of the ARRL Executive Board. His direct input into Executive Board matters is a definite asset to those of us in the West Gulf Division. Director Woolweaver and Vice-Director Stratton were key players in amateur radio's success in the last two sessions of the Texas Legislature. Stressing teamwork and speaking with a single voice, they led amateur radio to a victory in the Austin cell phone debates during the last legislative session. Together, they have developed a positive relationship with key House and Senate members, a relationship that will certainly be advantageous to amateur radio in the 2011 session of the Texas Legislature.